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Poll: Americans Prefer Real Estate Over Stocks, Gold

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Americans have renewed confidence in real estate as a great investment. In fact, Americans believe real estate is the “best” long-term investment, followed by gold, stocks, mutual funds, savings accounts/CDs, and bonds, according to a new Gallup Poll of about 1,000 adults who were asked to choose the best option for long-term investments. Bonds were the least favorite investment among the options Gallup surveyed.

In 2011, Americans surveyed said the most popular long-term investment was gold. That also marked a time when gold was at its highest price and real estate and stock values were lower than today, Gallup notes.

“With housing prices improving across the country, Americans are regaining faith that real estate is the best choice for long-term investments,” according to Gallup. “Home ownership is also associated with views of real estate as an attractive investment opportunity.”

Americans with higher incomes are the most likely to say real estate and stocks are the best investments – “possibly because of their experience with these type of investments,” according to the Gallup poll. Higher income Americans are most likely to say they own their home (at 87 percent), followed by middle-income earners (at 66 percent) and lower-income earners (36 percent).

Home owners are slightly more likely than renters to say real estate is the best choice for long-term investments – 33 percent versus 24 percent, respectively, according to the Gallup poll.